By the time you’re three miles up a no-name drainage with 60 pounds of gear biting into your hips and a thunderhead breathing down your neck, it’s too late to wish you’d packed smarter. Out here in the high basins and dark timber of the western U.S., your backpack isn’t just a sack for your stuff. It is an essential tool that can make or break your hunt.
Western hunts are a different breed. The country’s bigger, the weather’s meaner, and the game has a PhD level knowledge of its surroundings. If you’re heading into the hills, whether it’s for 2 days or 10, you’d better have a pack that fits your plan, and I don’t mean fits like fashion. I mean fits like it’ll haul a hindquarter, pack enough gear to shelter you from a storm, and still ride on your back without turning you into a pretzel.
This isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” kind of job. Picking a pack depends on how long you’re staying, what season it is, and how much meat you plan on hauling out, and hopefully, it’s a lot.
Understanding Backpack Volume: What Do the Numbers Mean?
Backpack sizes are usually measured in liters, but most old-school hunters still think in cubic inches, and rightfully so. Here’s a rough scale to work from:
|
Trip Type |
Size (Liters) |
Size (Cubic Inches) |
|
Day Hunt |
20-35 L |
1,220-2,135 in³ |
|
Overnight Hunt |
35-60 L |
2,135-3,661 in³ |
|
3-4 Days |
50-85 L |
3,051-5,186 in³ |
|
5-7 Days |
65-100 L |
3,966-6,102 in³ |
|
7+ Days or Solo |
85-100+ L |
5,186-6,102+ in³ |
But don’t just go by numbers. A good hunting pack isn’t about volume, it’s about function. Meat shelf. Compression straps. A frame that can handle 100+ pounds without folding like a cheap tent. These aren’t luxuries. They’re necessities.
Matching Pack Size to Your Time in the Field
Let’s break it down the way a hunter thinks – by the number of nights you’ll sleep in the woods and the miles you’ll put on your boots. Each of these short lists are to simply give you examples and are not complete lists of everything you will need. More so, they are to give you an idea of a few items out of the normal ones that make that pack size different from others.
1-2 Days in the Field: Weekend Warrior or Scout Trip
Recommended Size: 35-60 liters (2,135-3,661 in³)
For a single overnight or quick in and out, you can run a lightweight pack, just enough room for:
Here’s the catch – if you shoot something, you’d better be ready to haul. Even if you’re only a mile from the truck, carrying out a quarter on a glorified school bag is a fast way to wreck your back, shoulders, and knees. Pick a pack with a load shelf and an internal frame that keeps the meat tight to your back and can get the job done.
3-4 Days: Long Weekend Hunts
Recommended Size: 50-85 liters (3,051-4,881 in³)
Now we’re talking most backpack hunters. You’re probably heading five to seven miles back into some country with spotty cell service and less human sign than elk rubs. You’ll need:
This is the “sweet spot” for many western hunters. Big enough to add extra clothing layers and extra food, but still manageable for steep climbs, sidehilling, and keeping the bag weight to a minimum.
5-7 Days: Deep Backcountry Hunts
Recommended Size: 65-100 liters (3,966-6,102+ in³)
You’re in this one for the long haul – maybe solo, maybe with a buddy – and you won’t see a road for a week. The longer you’re out, the more food, fuel, and weather insurance you need. Your pack needs to:
This size pack is getting into a man-size bag, but it’ll let you roam far and hunt smart. It also lets you sit tight when the weather goes sideways, and it can, especially during late season hunts.
7+ Days or Solo Hunts in Big Snow Country
Recommended Size: 85-100+ liters (5,186-6,102+ in³)
This is the big boy game. You’re heading out for 8+ days or maybe into the later season when snow’s on the ground and temperatures drop. Your pack has to be able to:
At this stage, ounces matter, but durability matters more. If a buckle breaks or a seam pops, it better not be your main load-bearing strap. Get a pack with a reputation, like KUIU, Exo, Eberlestock, Mystery Ranch, or Frontier Gear of Alaska. Reliability means everything in these situations.
Weather, Season, and Terrain: Why Size Isn’t Everything
Early Season (August-September)
Don’t skimp on a puffy jacket or rain gear. I’ve been trapped in some pretty wet, cold thunderheads that can drop hail and snow at higher elevations.
Mid-Season (October)
Plan to upsize your pack by at least 10-15 liters to accommodate a better tent, bigger sleeping bag, etc. You’ll be glad you did when the sun drops at 6:30 and the cold wind is blowing on the back of your neck and into your soul.
Late Season (November-December)
If you’re winter hunting mule deer or elk, your pack must be dialed. A 90-100+ liter pack (5,491 in³-6,102+ in³) is often the minimum. Stove, extra fuel, heavy sleeping bag, four-season tent, puffy layers – they eat up space fast.
Other Gear That Changes the Game
You can’t talk pack size without factoring in the extras that most hunters carry:
That’s why pack size is more than just volume. It’s about how well it packs and hauls. Some 60-liter packs ride better than sloppy 80s. Don’t get caught up in numbers. Pay attention to layout, strap design, and how it sits on your back under load.
Final Thoughts: Pack Smart or Suffer Later
Out west, the mountains are the great equalizer. It doesn’t matter how much KUIU you’re wearing or how clear your binos are. If your pack’s wrong, you’ll feel every mistake before you even find your quarry.
Remember:
Don’t skimp. Don’t guess. Train with your pack before the season and build your kit like your life depends on it, because sometimes it does.
You don’t need fancy. You need functional. And when that first bugle rips across the basin or a mulie steps out broadside on day six, you’ll thank yourself for doing it right.